NAOHSM’s 56th Annual Convention and Trade Show

The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers 56th Annual Convention and Trade Show took place on May 17-21, 2009 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa.

Attendance for the show was down from 2008, but over 3,500 people walked the show floor to view over 160 companies’ displays, according to Judy Garber of executive administrator of NAOHSM.  

As the oil heat industry is undergoing a tremendous change, the show chose the theme of ‘Imagine,” offering classes for managers, owners and technicians. Education was a strong element, including visits to the show by 12 vocational schools, which gave students the opportunity to explore the HVAC field. Both technicians and students could compete in a number of competitions Tuesday and Wednesday.

The annual Care to Ride event took place on Monday and raised $47,000 for Oil Heat Cares, an organization helping NAOHSM members to install equipment in homes of their customers in need. Among the participants walking, running, riding bicycles and motorcycles, Roger Marran of Energy Kinetics was the top money raiser for the fourth year in a row.

At the Awards Banquet on Tuesday night, the following were honored:

Associate of the Year ‘ Rosemarie Bartchak, Boyertown Furnace and member of the Berks Chapter.

Service Manager of the Year ‘ Kurt Massa, president of the Delaware Valley Chapter

Manufacturer of the Year ‘ R. W. Beckett

Hugh McKee Award ‘ Donnie Potter, director of the association and past president of the South Jersey Chapter

Instructor of the Year ‘ Jeff Sweda, instructor at Hazelton Area Career Center, Hazelton, Pa.

Special Recognition ‘ Harold Feld, long time member of the Westchester Chapter

Oil Heat Cares Cup ‘ Garden State Chapter (NJ)

Also, six of the 10 scholarship winners and their families were in attendance. 

The Association’s 57th Annual Convention and Trade Show will be hosted at the Providence Convention Center, RI ‘ May 23-27th.